How to Apply - Pediatric Surgery QE

The online application process for the Pediatric Surgery Qualifying Exam is posted each year by late April. A notice will be posted on the homepage at that time.

Applicants are encouraged to begin the application process as early as possible. If you do not complete the application process, any materials or fees submitted cannot be carried over to another year.

Exam accommodations: Accommodations for documented learning disabilities must be requested by the initial application deadline (view policy). Individuals who will need accommodations due to medical-related conditions (injury, breast feeding, etc.) should notify the ABS when applying.

Items Required

When the online application process is available, applicants are required submit the following items. Diplomates must be meeting the requirements of the ABS MOC Program and hold a current full and unrestricted medical license to apply.

1) Application Form - submitted via the ABS website

2) Operative Experience Report

All cases cited must be from your fellowship. Applicants may either submit the ABS online operative experience report via the ABS website or mail a paper copy of their entire ACGME Resident Experience Report by Role, signed by both applicant and program director, to the ABS office (original signatures onlyno signature stamps, faxes, scans or photocopies).

3) Signature Form - signed by you and your program director and mailed to the ABS office

The signature form summarizes the information entered on the application form and operative report. The entire form must be printed and mailed with the original signatures (no signature stamps, faxes, scans or photocopies). It must be signed by the applicant and the individual who served as program director during his or her training. Only the program director may sign the form, no other official.

Note: To avoid the late fee, the signature form must contain all required, original signatures (applicant and program director) and arrive by the application deadline.

Submit your credit card payment (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) where indicated; a completed application form must be submitted first. A separate exam fee will also be required once your application is approved.

Note: The total application fee due will be based on when your signature form arrives at the ABS office, not the date you submit the application form or fee.

5) Documentation of PALS - mailed to the ABS
office

Copy of completion card showing that the PALS course was successfully completed by the applicant. Please note the live, on-site course must be completed, not the online version. The card does not need to be currently valid.

Mailing Your Application Materials

The signature form (with all required original signatures), operative report (if using ACGME report), and PALS documentation should be mailed in one package to the ABS office (1617 JFK Blvd., Ste. 860, Philadelphia, PA 19103).

To avoid the late fee, these 4 items must be at the ABS office (not postmarked) by end of business day on the application deadline: (1) application form (via website); (2) operative report (by mail or website, depending on format); (3) entire signature form with all required, original signatures (by mail); and (4) application fee (via website).

However your application cannot be approved until ALL required items are present. Please submit your application materials promptly so you may schedule the exam at a testing center of your choosing. The longer you wait to complete the application process, the more likely you will have to travel outside your area to take the exam.

To confirm delivery of application materials, please track your package through your delivery service. Allow 3-4 weeks for mailed items to be marked "Received" on your application page. Due to volume, the ABS staff is unable to confirm receipt of materials until they have been processed. Please keep a copy of all submitted items as the ABS will not furnish copies.

Tip: If you are sending items overnight, you do not need to purchase "First Overnight" service. Standard overnight is sufficient.

Application Approval

Once all materials are received, your application will be reviewed by ABS staff. You will be notified via email when your application is complete, and again when your application has been approved. Once approved, you will be sent information on how to register for this year's exam and pay the separate exam fee. If there are any problems with your application, you will be notified by ABS staff. Please keep your contact information current - Update Personal Information.

If you have questions, please refer to our FAQs section. For questions not covered in the FAQs, send an email to the exam coordinator.